Overview

• Enrollment for Extended Security Updates is now surfacing in Windows Update, offering a free route via Windows Backup to OneDrive, a free redemption of 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a $30 per‑device license.
• Residents of the European Economic Area receive one year of no‑cost updates, while business ESU pricing starts at $61 per device per year and can be renewed for up to three years.
• After October 14, Windows 10 PCs will keep working but will stop receiving OS security and feature patches, with Microsoft Defender security intelligence updates continuing through October 2028.
• A large installed base remains on Windows 10, with Statcounter showing roughly 40.5% of Windows PCs on the OS versus 48.94% on Windows 11, and Steam’s survey indicating about one‑third of gaming PCs still on Windows 10.
• Hundreds of repair shops, nonprofits, advocacy groups and elected officials have pressed Microsoft to keep security updates free, warning of elevated cyber risk and increased e‑waste if support ends as planned.